title: Experimental analysis of the blood-sucking mechanism of female mosquitoes.
abstract: Pioneering studies have been conducted to reveal the functional characteristics of the two-pump system of the female mosquito. Mosquitoes are equipped with two pumping organs located in the head: the cibarial (CP) and the pharyngeal (PP) pumps. To analyze the functional relationship of these pumps during the blood-sucking process, micro-particle image velocimetry (PIV) and synchrotron X-ray micro-imaging were employed. The two pumps were found to be well coordinated with a phase shift (α) and time shift (β) but to have distinct functions in the liquid-sucking process. The first pump (CP) starts to expand first, and then the second pump (PP) expands in advance with a time shift (β) before the first pump (CP) begins to contract, playing a key role in improving pumping performance. The systaltic motion of the two pumps works systematically in a well-coordinated manner. In addition, the pumping performance of blood-sucking female mosquitoes is demonstrated to be superior to that of nectar-eating male mosquitoes. Intake flow rate is maximized by reducing the relaxation time of the CP and increasing the pumping frequency.
authors.affiliation: School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang Gyeongbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Heum
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hae Koo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009055:Mouth / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014965:X-Rays